BigCommerce vs Square Online (2024 Comparison)
BigCommerce offers a powerful e-commerce platform with extensive customization options and robust SEO tools. It's ideal for businesses looking to scale and expand their online presence.
- Extensive customization options.
- Robust SEO tools.
- Advanced multi-channel selling.
- Steep learning curve.
- Higher cost for small businesses.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$29 per month
Square Online provides a user-friendly website builder with seamless Square integration, making it perfect for small businesses seeking an affordable and reliable online store solution.
- User-friendly interface.
- Seamless Square integration.
- Affordable for small businesses.
- Limited customization options.
- Basic SEO tools.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$29 per monthWhat is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is a robust e-commerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes create and manage online stores. It offers a wide range of features, including customizable templates, SEO tools, and multi-channel selling capabilities. With BigCommerce, you can easily integrate with popular payment gateways and third-party apps, making it a versatile choice for expanding your online presence. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, BigCommerce provides the tools you need to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.
What is Square Online?
Square Online is a versatile website builder that allows businesses to create professional online stores with ease. It offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners and small business owners. With Square Online, you can seamlessly integrate with Square's payment processing system, ensuring smooth transactions. The platform also provides essential features like inventory management, order tracking, and marketing tools, helping you manage your business efficiently. Whether you're selling products or services, Square Online offers a reliable solution for establishing your online presence.
Pros and Cons of BigCommerce vs Square Online
Pros & Cons of BigCommerce
- BigCommerce offers a wide range of customization options, allowing you to tailor your online store to your specific needs. This flexibility is ideal for businesses looking to create a unique brand identity.
- With advanced SEO tools, BigCommerce helps improve your store's visibility in search engines, driving more organic traffic to your site. This is crucial for businesses aiming to increase their online presence.
- BigCommerce's multi-channel selling capabilities enable you to reach customers on various platforms, expanding your market reach and increasing sales opportunities.
- BigCommerce's extensive features can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring time and effort to fully understand and utilize the platform's capabilities.
- The pricing of BigCommerce may be a barrier for small businesses with limited budgets, as the platform's advanced features come at a higher cost.
Pros & Cons of Square Online
- Square Online's intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners to set up and manage their online stores, reducing the learning curve and saving time.
- The seamless integration with Square's payment system ensures smooth transactions, providing a hassle-free experience for both businesses and customers.
- Square Online offers cost-effective solutions for small businesses, making it an attractive option for those with limited budgets looking to establish an online presence.
- Square Online's customization options are more limited compared to other platforms, which may restrict businesses looking to create a highly personalized online store.
- The SEO tools provided by Square Online are basic, which may not be sufficient for businesses aiming to significantly improve their search engine rankings.
BigCommerce vs Square Online: At A Glance
Value to Price
BigCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of features that justify its pricing, making it a great value for businesses looking to scale. Square Online, while slightly more affordable, provides essential features for small businesses. If you're seeking a platform with extensive features and scalability, BigCommerce is the better choice.
Ease of Use
Square Online shines with its intuitive interface, making it ideal for beginners. BigCommerce, while feature-rich, may require a steeper learning curve. If you prioritize ease of use and a straightforward setup, Square Online is the way to go.
Functionality
BigCommerce excels in functionality, offering advanced e-commerce features like multi-channel selling and SEO tools. Square Online provides essential functionalities but lacks some advanced options. If you need robust e-commerce capabilities, BigCommerce is the superior choice.
Scalability
BigCommerce is designed for scalability, accommodating businesses of all sizes with ease. Square Online is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses but may face limitations as you grow. If scalability is a priority, BigCommerce is the better option.
Integrations
Both platforms offer a range of integrations, but BigCommerce provides a more extensive library, allowing for greater customization. Square Online offers seamless integration with Square's ecosystem. If you need diverse integrations, BigCommerce is the preferred choice.
Customer Support
BigCommerce offers robust customer support, including 24/7 assistance, which is crucial for businesses operating around the clock. Square Online provides reliable support but may not be as comprehensive. If customer support is a priority, BigCommerce is the better option.
Security
Both platforms prioritize security, but BigCommerce offers advanced security features, ensuring your online store is well-protected. Square Online provides essential security measures. If security is a top concern, BigCommerce is the more secure choice.
Overall Rating
BigCommerce scores higher overall due to its comprehensive features, scalability, and robust support. Square Online is a strong contender for small businesses seeking ease of use and affordability. If you're looking for a powerful e-commerce platform, BigCommerce is the top choice.
BigCommerce vs Square Online: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Customizable Templates
BigCommerce offers a wide range of customizable templates, allowing you to create a unique online store that reflects your brand. I found the design flexibility to be a major advantage, especially when trying to stand out in a crowded market. Square Online also provides customizable templates, but the options are more limited compared to BigCommerce. If you value design flexibility and want to create a distinctive online presence, BigCommerce is the better choice.
SEO Tools
BigCommerce excels in providing advanced SEO tools that help improve your store's visibility in search engines. I appreciated the detailed analytics and optimization features that made it easier to attract organic traffic. Square Online offers basic SEO tools, which are suitable for small businesses but may not be as comprehensive. If SEO is a priority for your online store, BigCommerce is the superior option.
Multi-Channel Selling
BigCommerce stands out with its multi-channel selling capabilities, allowing you to sell on various platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media. This feature was a game-changer for me, as it expanded my reach significantly. Square Online offers multi-channel selling but is more limited in scope. If you want to maximize your sales channels, BigCommerce is the better choice.
Payment Gateway Integration
Both BigCommerce and Square Online offer seamless payment gateway integration, making transactions smooth and secure. I found Square Online's integration with Square's payment system to be particularly convenient. However, BigCommerce provides a wider range of payment options, which can be beneficial for businesses with diverse customer bases. If you need extensive payment gateway options, BigCommerce is the preferred choice.
Inventory Management
Square Online offers robust inventory management features that are easy to use, making it ideal for small businesses. I appreciated the simplicity and efficiency of tracking stock levels. BigCommerce also provides comprehensive inventory management tools, suitable for larger businesses with complex needs. If you require advanced inventory management, BigCommerce is the better option.
Order Tracking
Both platforms offer reliable order tracking features, ensuring you can keep customers informed about their purchases. I found BigCommerce's order tracking to be more detailed, providing valuable insights into customer behavior. Square Online offers essential tracking features, which are sufficient for small businesses. If you need in-depth order tracking, BigCommerce is the superior choice.
Pricing Comparison of BigCommerce and Square Online
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of BigCommerce and Square Online. This comparison will highlight the best option for creating your online store.
BigCommerce Pricing Plans
- Support access with 24/7 live agent availability.
- Major payment gateway integrations for smooth transactions.
- Support for multiple currencies to cater to global customers.
- Real-time shipping and additional features for efficient logistics.
- Abandoned shopping cart recovery to boost sales.
- Customer segmentation for personalized marketing.
- Google customer reviews integration for trust building.
- Analytics and reporting to track performance.
- Product filtering for enhanced user experience.
- Google Shopping integration to reach more customers.
- Dedicated SSL certificate for secure transactions.
- Premium support with dedicated account management.
- Unlimited API calls for high-volume operations.
- Custom pricing options for tailored solutions.
- Priority support with a dedicated account manager.
- Advanced security features including PCI compliance.
Square Online Pricing Plans
- Sync with Square POS for seamless operations.
- Offer pickup, local delivery, and shipping options.
- Sell on social media platforms for wider reach.
- Accept multiple payment types for convenience.
- QR code ordering for contactless service.
- Customer accounts for personalized experiences.
- Advanced item settings for better management.
- Free domain for 1 year to boost credibility.
- Real-time shipping rates for accurate checkout.
- Premium customer support for quick assistance.
- Waived in-house delivery fees for savings.
- Advanced features for scaling operations.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each website builder, focusing on key aspects like ease of use, functionality, and scalability. By analyzing user reviews and testing features, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each factor is weighted to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
BigCommerce or Square Online: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose BigCommerce If You Need ...
- Advanced e-commerce features
If you need a platform with advanced e-commerce features like multi-channel selling and robust SEO tools, BigCommerce is the ideal choice. It's perfect for businesses looking to expand their online presence and reach a wider audience.
- Scalable solution
If you're planning to grow your business and need a platform that can scale with you, BigCommerce is the better option. It offers the flexibility and features necessary to accommodate businesses of all sizes.
Choose Square Online If You Need ...
- User-friendly interface
If you're a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use website builder, Square Online is the perfect choice. Its intuitive interface makes it simple to set up and manage your online store.
- Affordable for small businesses
If you're on a tight budget and need a cost-effective solution for your online store, Square Online is the ideal choice. It offers essential features at an affordable price, making it accessible for small businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for small businesses?
Does BigCommerce offer more customization options?
Which platform offers better SEO tools?
Is Square Online suitable for multi-channel selling?
Which platform provides better customer support?
Are there any security concerns with these platforms?
Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
